Friends,
In the run-up to Easter the question arose: If you could only watch one television programme in a year – what would you choose? That mind-tickler led onto the question on Easter morning: If you could only attend church once in a year – what day would you choose to come? A birthday, an anniversary, St Columba’s Day, Christmas or Easter, or another alternative? One church friend followed up:
I love watching American cop shows on television, especially “Law and Order” and “N.C.I.S.”. My mother always enjoyed “Ironside”, so that may be where it comes from. It is fascinating seeing detectives collect evidence while they build a case they hope will convince a jury.
We are in the middle of Holy Week, recalling the events of Jesus’ final days in Jerusalem – from the entry into that city riding on the donkey on Palm Sunday, to events and confrontations in the Temple, to the washing of the disciples’ feet and sharing of a Last Supper in the Upper Room, to the prayers, betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane, to the trial, mockery and torture of Good Friday, to the sealed tomb – and then, the empty tomb of Easter morning. It is a poignant and uncomfortable journey. But as was said in a Lent Discussion Group: “You can’t have Easter without Good Friday!” It is through enduring the defeat that we emerge to the victory. Whether you can join us for the significant services of this week, or attend local services of other traditions, perhaps you might prayer the Easter Prayer, recently offered by Canonmills Church in Edinburgh.
Dear Friends,
We are all familiar with Paddington, the little bear who arrived in London from his home in Peru with a luggage label attached saying, “Please look after this bear”. Michael Bond, the former BBC cameraman who created Paddington said he was inspired by the memory of children being evacuated from British cities during World War 2 and going to live with complete strangers in the countryside or even overseas, many of them with a label tied to them with their name and other details.
Under the watchful gaze of former ministers, the production line for Mothering Sunday daffodils was in full swing last weekend.
Friends,
I wandered lonely as a cloud, is perhaps one of English poetry’s most famous first lines; starting point for William Wordsworth’s recollection of stumbling upon a wondrous sight by the lake shore.
There are plenty references to dancing in the scriptures. From the Psalmist’s injunction in Psalm 149: “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp”, to King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant as it was installed in Jerusalem. In the Gospels Jesus alludes to the playful dancing of children and the celebratory dancing at the return of the prodigal son. Not everyone was/is convinced, perhaps mindful of its dangers – think daughter of Herodias’ display, before an immoral king, leading to the death of John the Baptist.
Dear Friends,
Imagine that you were writing the constitution for a newly independent country – what would your priorities be? How would you shape the common life of the community? What laws would you pass?
Friends,
Having been out of London for a week, when I returned, I was struck by the blossom that has appeared in streets and parks. Though as I write the rain is lashing down, it is also noticeable that the mornings are lighter and the afternoons lengthening. The seasons are on the move.
Dear Friends,
What is Lent? Until comparatively recently it was not common to follow the Christian year in Presbyterian or Reformed churches. Within living memory Christmas was not a public holiday in Scotland. Of course, we can blame Oliver Cromwell for that – the Puritans banned the celebration of Christmas but after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 the rest of the UK reverted to celebrating Christmas while the Scots carried on celebrating New Year. That continued until after the Second World War, but I suspect that as more churches and ministers follow the lectionary, the three-year table of Bible readings for Sunday worship, the pattern of the Christian year has become more familiar to all of us.
Dear Friends,
Our gospel lesson this week is from Mark 9: 2-9 and is St. Mark’s account of the Transfiguration, describing the occasion when Jesus invited three of his closest disciples, Peter, James and John, to climb a high mountain with him. The disciples are dazzled by Jesus’ altered appearance. In contrast to the voice that spoke to Jesus at his baptism, this time a voice speaks directly to the disciples and tells them to “listen to him!”. This was a moment of profound significance for the disciples when they had a glimpse of the divinity of Christ but when it was over all of them headed back down the mountain and Jesus went on to heal a sick child (Mark 9:14-29).
Photo by Susan Pym
Friends,
Last weekend offered a concentrated burst of congregational life. On Friday evening our elders met as your Kirk Session, undertaking their trustee role, to consider the consistently broad agenda of concerns that face them – from how to keep the building safe, warm and accessible, to which initiatives, within or beyond the congregation we support, to how we show care for each other and how we worship together. At the same time ReStart were hosting the regular Friday night drop-in meal in the Lower Hall.
Friends,
This week marks the 80th anniversary of Pte George Mitchell of the London Scottish Regiment winning the Victoria Cross, the British Army’s highest award for gallantry. His achievement is commemorated in the inscription on the font in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel.
The Scots Hotel in Tiberias
Friends,
Since the horrific events of 7th October last year, our thoughts have been focussed on the Holy Land, Israel and Palestine, and in the face of continuing violence there we continue to pray that all parties to the conflict might find a way ahead, leading to a just and lasting settlement that will meet the needs and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Jews and Muslims.
Friends,
This week Revd David Donald Scott, who preached at St Columba’s in November, having packed away the seasonal decorations, made his annual analysis of Christmas cards received (See https://daviddonaldscott.blogspot.com/)
He writes: “Once again, the balance between sacred and secular was not disturbed but it is narrowing – 54% to 46%. Shepherds and Kings were equally matched this year. The full nativity was top of the pops. Fifteen per cent of the religious cards were doves celebrating our almost universal longing for peace. Removing cards with doves, churches and words of Scripture and carols, there were fewer cards celebrating the Nativity than secular cards.
Friends,
Tuesday, 2nd January marked ten years since our resident caretaker, Michael Dempsey, took up post at St Columba’s. Anyone who appreciates what goes on in our building, seven days a week, will understand we should definitely take a moment to acknowledge how much we are indebted to Michael. He contributes immensely, not only to the smooth running of the place, but also to its atmosphere of welcome. That is a real gift.
Photos illustrate preparations made for the recent Carols by Candlelight
Friends,
This is the last newsletter for 2023, so covers the conclusion of Advent, the celebration of Christmas and gets us to Hogmanay. Rather than attempt a lengthy coverage of those things – let me pick one simple theme. Gratitude. Gratitude – for all that has been contributed to the life of the congregation in the last twelve months. Gratitude, for our permanent staff who maintain the day to day running of a very busy office and complex building. Gratitude, for our Session Clerk and her elders for the meeting of the many responsibilities that modern-day trustees hold towards congregation and all who utilise our buildings. Gratitude, for church members and volunteers who undertake so many different tasks that sustain and support the life and feel of our community. Gratitude, for our musicians, who so enhance our worship throughout the year. One could go on, but you get the idea!